itwas1958,andlandonhadalreadydatedagirlortwo.heevensworethathehadoncebeeninlove.certainlythelastpersonintownhethoughthedfallforwasjamiesullivan,thedaughterofthetownsbaptistminister.aquietgirlwhoalwayscarriedabiblewithherschoolbooks,jamieseemedcontentlivinginaworldapartfromotherteens.shetookcareofherwidowedfather,rescuedhurtanimals,andhelpedoutatthelocalorphanage.noboyhadeveraskedherout.landonneverwouldhavedreamedofit.thenatwistoffatemadejamiehispartnerforthehomecomingdance,andlandoncarterslifewouldneverbethesame.beingwithjamiewouldshowhimthedepthsofthehumanheartandleadhimtoadecisionsostunningitwouldsendhimirrevocablyontheroadtomanhood.